Selfishness and Love
Sighing Inuyasha sat up in the tree branches of his favorite tree, the Go-Shimboku, he shifted uncomfortably. It wasn't the familiar thawed bark his back had become so accustomed to over the years causing his distress, it was awaiting the return of a certain Miko that was making him so uneasy.
No matter how many times he watched her go through the well, he couldn't stop himself from worrying what could happen to her whilst out of his sight. Though of course, being the big bad hanyou that he was, Inuyasha would never admit that. Thus, just like every other time, they had had an argument over whether it was really important to go back for someone called Yuka's birthday.
Three days he thought grumpily. What the hell is a '"sleepover" anyhow?! He thought seething. He had tried to guilt her into staying, the jewel shattering was her fault after all. But in the end, he had lost, as he always did. One would think one would learn not to fight with someone who called him an insensitive jerk and then not so sensitively sat him before making their escape through the well. Although some may argue that thinking is a dangerous pastime.
The hanyou shifted again restlessly, letting escape what had to be the millionth sigh. Where the hell is she? Its been three days, time.is.up. Now Inuyasha had taking to staring at the well, willing it to glow that sapphire blue. Though he would never admit it, the reason he hated her leaving so much, had nothing to do with the shards. (A/N gasps you don't say!)
You see, it didn't take long for Inuyasha to figure out he was madly in love with the beautiful Kagome. In fact, he had pretty much figured it out the day he first tried to send her away. He soon realized that there was no containing Kagome. After traveling with her for 3 years, his stubbornness was starting to rub off on her.
It's like every time I try to send her away, she comes back more determined then before… he thought with a smirk. Not that I really mind…
But his thoughts were abruptly cut off when a certain scent Inuyasha knew so well stumbled across his nose. "Hello? InuYasha?" he herd as he jumped down from his beloved tree.
He strode over to were her scent was emitting from and poked his head over the lip of the well. The moment she saw him a warm smile immediately spread across her face. "Hi…" she stated weakly giving him a small wave. He, however, didn't return her greeting, and jumped down, without saying a word grabbed her bag and slung it over his shoulder. This thing gets heaver and heaver every time doesn't it? he thought eyeing the worn and tattered, abnormally yet conveniently large, yellow backpack.
"Took you long enough this time," He said bluntly. "I almost came and got you myself!" Kagome sighed deeply before she replied through gritt teeth,
"I can't help it if I stay longer then you want me to when I visit my friends and family Inuyasha. Besides, it was her birthday, and they're my friends!"
"We're your friends!" he fired back steamily, just what is she trying to say anyway?!
"I know that! But you cannot deny I'm here more then I am there, and sometimes I miss them, just like sometimes I miss you. Is that a crime?" she asked letting some of her irritation leak through, he always has to go and ruin my good mood she thought bitterly.
Inuyasha couldn't help the blush that instantly stained his cheeks at her implication, m-missed me? Seeing as the somewhat angry girl was turning back to him he had to consciously force his eyes back to their normal size and turned his head while his blush retreated. "Feh… whatever." he breathed and grabbed her around her middle jumping out of the well. Once they were successfully out, he let her go and asked "Ready to go?"
Another smile slowly spread itself across her soft features as she nodded. "Yeah, let's go." And with that the headed towards Kaede's hut.
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About ten minutes after they reached the village they were leaving. Even though the group had already defeated Naraku, they still had yet to find the rest of the shards. InuYasha, not being one to stay still for long, insisted that since Kagome spent too much time in her world they would have to start right away. After Shippo received his lollipop and Kaede was bade goodbye, they were off. As Kagome climbed onto Inuyasha's back, she couldn't help but notice that something was obviously different about Miroku and Sango.
As they routinely climbed onto the transformed Kirara's back, she noticed Sango's cheeks slightly redden when she climbed onto the feline. Miroku fallowed suit as usual, but instead of putting his staff around Sango and holding the ends, he propped it against his shoulder and intertwined his fingers around her middle.
And involuntary gasp escaped her lips when she saw Sango's blush intensify, but instead of slapping him, a sheepish smile spread slightly across her face. InuYasha fallowed her gaze and let out a snort and a smirk and he whispered "Weird huh? They've been like that since the day after you left."
"Really?" she asked surprise evident in her voice and the hanyou nodded. We defiantly need to go to the hot springs later…she thought.
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They had been traveling for a couple of minutes when InuYasha stopped and sniffed, dropping an unsuspecting Kagome in the process. "InuYasha!" she yelled trying to regain her balance from the unexpected fall. Fallowing his gaze she continued "What is your problem?! at least warn someone before you-" then she stopped.
"Kagome, what is it?" Sango asked getting worried. But before anyone could react she took off in a sprint towards smoke flooding over the treetops. She ran through bushes and between trees not bothering to notice the new scrapes her legs were acquiring. Everyone was close behind when Kagome saw something that made her stomach lurch.
She saw a man come out after a little boy, no younger then Sota, she thought. No, the man had pushed the boy out of the hut, and what Kagome saw next horrified her. The man grabbed something off his pants and appeared to be scolding the boy when his head snapped towards the hut where a woman stumbled out. She was crying and her face looked terrified as she looked from the man to the boy and she began saying something as though she was pleading. "Shut up woman!" Kagome heard the man roar as he backhanded her across the face making her head slam into the doorframe knocking her unconscious. The boy flinched but kept his head buried in his arms as he remained lying on his stomach as if waiting for the worst to come. The man raised his belt, and Kagome, panting from running so fast, dove into sight as he slammed it down with amazing force.
She covered the boys' body with her own and there was a loud
CRACK!
Only to be fallowed by a sharp cry of pain.
Authors Note: Hehe, my first cliffhanger! So, what do you guys think? Reviews are appreciated! Flamers are frowned upon, but I guess a little.. ehhem.. constructive criticism wouldn't be so bad ;)